Adolescent pregnancy and young motherhood in rural Zimbabwe : findings from a baseline study

dc.contributor.authorWoollett, Nataly
dc.contributor.authorBandeira, Monica Paulo dos Santos
dc.contributor.authorMarunda, Sibusiswe
dc.contributor.authorMudekunye, Lynette
dc.contributor.authorEbersohn, L. (Liesel)
dc.date.accessioned2022-05-20T09:30:02Z
dc.date.available2022-05-20T09:30:02Z
dc.date.issued2021-11
dc.description.abstractPregnant adolescents and young mothers comprise a vulnerable group, particularly in low and middle income countries, yet there is limited research describing this population, particularly in rural Zimbabwe. Using tablet-administered questionnaires concerning maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, psychosocial well-being and parenting, we recruited 442 pregnant and young mothers (14–24 years) with the support of social workers from health facilities. We found high levels of poverty amidst increased rates of marriage, including child marriage (almost 20%). Participants had poor sexual and reproductive health knowledge and uptake of contraception was low (only 35% respondents reported current use). Although almost 60% girls had completed Form 2, 24% had only completed Grade 1 and just 4% were still engaged in schooling. Girls reported inadequate social support amidst high caretaking responsibilities and change in relocation for marriage, compromising mental health. Most of the pregnancies were unintended (approximately 60%) which had consequences on attachment and parenting where roughly 40% of our sample reported difficulties and lack of enjoyment in caring for their babies. Investments in interventions that address these vulnerabilities for pregnant adolescents and young mothers, and capitalise on available resources, are critical to improve health and interrupt cycles of risk for the next generation.en_US
dc.description.departmentEducational Psychologyen_US
dc.description.librarianhj2022en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipUNICEF, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).en_US
dc.description.urihttp://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/hscen_US
dc.identifier.citationWoollett N, Bandeira M, Marunda S, Mudekunye L, Ebersohn L. Adolescent pregnancy and young motherhood in rural Zimbabwe: Findings from a baseline study. Health and Social Care in the Community 2021;29:e377–e386. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13362.en_US
dc.identifier.issn0966-0410 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1365-2524 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1111/hsc.13362
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/85603
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherWileyen_US
dc.rights© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article : Adolescent pregnancy and young motherhood in rural Zimbabwe: Findings from a baseline study. Health and Social Care in the Community, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. e377-e386, 2021, doi : 10.1111/hsc.13362. The definite version is available at : http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/hsc.en_US
dc.subjectChild marriageen_US
dc.subjectPregnant adolescenten_US
dc.subjectSexual reproductive healthen_US
dc.subjectLow- and middle-income countries (LMICs)en_US
dc.subjectYoung motheren_US
dc.subjectZimbabween_US
dc.titleAdolescent pregnancy and young motherhood in rural Zimbabwe : findings from a baseline studyen_US
dc.typePostprint Articleen_US

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